Handle-actuated blind riveting tool



J. N. HENSHAW ACTUATED BLIND RIVETING TOOL Nov. 20, 1951 HANDLE- 2Sl-lEETS-Si-EET 1 Filed Oct. 7, 1950 Inventor James [\[Hensfzaw Nov. 20,1951 J. N. HENSHAW -ACTUATED BLIND RIVETING TOOL HANDLE 2 SIXEETS-ShEET2 Filed 001:. 7, 1950 HEEL Inventor James NHens/zczw Patented Nov. 20,1951 2,575,416 HAN DLE-ACTUATED BLIND RIV E'TIN G TOOL James NormanHenshaw, Leicester, England, as-

signor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation,

Flemington, N. J.,

a corporation of New Jersey.

Application October 7, 1950, Serial N 0. 188,930 In Great BritainJanuary 27, 1950 9 Claims.

This invention relates to fastener inserting tools and more especiallyto tools of a type adapted to install tubular rivets in a structureaccessible from one side only. Although hereinafter illustrated asembodied in a tool for inserting and upsetting blind rivets of aparticular construction, it will be apparent that use of the inventionis not necessarily limited to the riveting tool as shown nor to theapplication of two-part fasteners of the type illustrated and about tobe described.

.An effective and rather well-known form of blind rivet comprises atubular member of relatively ductile material having a head at one endand a mandril extending longitudinally through the tubular portion. Whenthis rivet is inserted in a hole in a structure to be riveted, ariveting tool grips and retracts the mandril stem while holding thepreformed head in abutting relation to the structure, and the relativeendwise movement of the mandril upsets the inaccessible end of themember. Continued pulling on the mandril when the member sufiicientlyresists further endwise upsetting movement results in the breaking offof the expandable portion of the mandril stem at a frangibleconstriction formed therein. Since with such rivets considerable forcemust be exerted by the tool first to move the upsetting mandrilrelatively to the member and thereafter, if desired, to break the stem,a powerful tool which may be readily wielded by an operator is highlydesirable. A manually operated tool for setting rivets of the typedescribed is disclosed, for example, in United States Letters Patent No.1,829,696, granted to H. -N. Wylie et al.

An object of this invention, accordingly, is to provide an improvedfastener inserting tool-capable of installing blind rivets by exertingrivet setting stress, the power for which may be developed manually,stored temporarily in the tool, and thereafter conveniently applied asdesired with but one hand.

With this object in view, a primary feature of the invention reside inthe provision of a compact blind rivet inserting tool comprisingmechanism for gripping and pulling one part of the rivet while a forceof reaction is applied to another part, a compression spring foroperating said mechanism, manual means for loading the 1 spring, andmeans for releasing the potential energy of the spring to effect rivetupsetting.

The above and other features of the invention together with novelarrangements and combinations of parts Will now be described in moredetail in connection with one illustrative embodiment and theaccompanying drawings thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a tool in cocked condition and constructedin accordance with one form of the invention, body portions being shownin longitudinal section and a portion of the handle being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a section of a body portion of the tool shown in Fig. 1 andtaken along the same plane but indicating parts in gripping engagementwith a mandril of a blind rivet;

.Fig. 3 is a view of parts of the tool, in longitudinal section along aplane at right angles to that of Fig. 1, the parts being in the relativepositions shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the parts in the relativepositions shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 2 but showing the tool at alater stage of operation, the rivet having been set and the mandril stembroken;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation showing the relative positions of parts atone stage during cooking of the tool; and

Fig. 7 is a section of a detail taken on the line VII-VII of Fig. '5 andshowing the mounting of plungers.

The tool comprises a main body generally designated It, and a hollowpistol-grip handle #2 pivotally related thereto as will be described.The body Iii includes a cylindrical casing Hi to one end of which acentrally bored anvil or nose piece It is fixed, and at the other end ofwhich is an integral frame 18. Opposite side plates 20, only one ofwhich is shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 6, are secured to the body by screws 22and are bridged by a pin '24. The handle 12 is provided with a pair ofupwardly extending spaced plates 26 respectively having an ear portionpivotally mounted on the pin 2%. The body it and handle 12 normally arein the initial position shown in Figs. 1 and 5, and angle Z (Fig. 1)between them measures about In this position a face 28 (best seen'inFig. 6) onthe handle abuts lower edges of the plates 28, and meanshereinafter described are provided for releasably holding the tool insuch condition.

Mandril gripping mechanism of any satisfactory type adapted to engage,retract and break a mandril stem M upon being actuated by tensile forcemay be installed within the case 14. One mechanism found highlyeffective in overcoming slippage on even a smooth-stemmed mandril isdisclosed, for example, in a copending application Serial No. 84,616,filed on March 29, 1949, in the name of S. L. Gookin. For the purpose ofthe present tool, mandril gripping mechanism somewhat similar to thatemployed in the above-cited Wylie et a1. patent i used. A cylindricalsleeve 39 is movable axially within the casing l4. One end of the sleevehas an internal frusto-conical surface 32 and the other end is adjacentto an abutment shoulder 33 formed in the casing and is threaded toreceive a plug 34. A pair of opposed collet jaws 36 are respectivelyaffixed to leaf springs 38 and the latter are secured to a block 46, thearrangement being such that the springs 38 urge the jaws apart. Oneendof a compression spring 42 engages the plug 34 and the other endurges the block 46 to the left, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 5, and relativeto the sleeve 36.

Movement of the jaws 36 under the action of the spring 42 isadvantageously controlled by a latch 44 (Figs. 3 and 4) extendingthrough slots 46 in the sleeve 36 and transversely of the casing I4. Anarrow portion 48 of the latch is slidable in a slot 50 in the casingand a wider portion 52 is slidable in a slot 54 in the casing, the twopor tions being connected by a step surface A leaf spring 56 confinedbetween the casing and a pin 58 projecting from the latch 44 normallyholds the latch in a position such that its ears 60 engage the casing I4as shown in Fig. 3.

The actuating mechanism of the tool comprises a tubular member 62largely housed by the handle I2 and containing a strong compressionspring 64. The member 62 is provided in its bottom with a buffer 66 ofleather or other suitable material. A rod 66 extending axially of thespring 64 has a head 68 (Fig. l) engaging the lower end of that spring,the upper end being seated against an abutment 19 formed in the handle.The rod 66 extends through a bore in the handle and has its upper endforked to receive a pin I2 for pivotally connecting with one end of alink I The li 14 extends into a groove in a cylindrical rotor 16 whichis rotatably mounted on the pin 24. The other end of the link 14 ispivotally connected to a pin 18 fixed in the rotor I6 and bridging thegroove to extend from both sides of the rotor. Also bridging the groovein the rotor and fixed to the latter is a pin 80. A link 82 has pivotalconnections with the pin 86 and an extension 84 of the plug 34.

Adjoining ends of lapped toggle links 86 and .88 are pivotally connectedby a pin 96. The other end of the link 86 has pivotal connection with aprojecting portion of the pin 18, and the lower end of the link 86 haspivotal connection with a pin 92 secured to the plates 26. Another pairof toggle links (not shown) are counterparts and preferably duplicatesof the pair of toggle links 86, 88, being similarly mounted on theopposite side of the rotor 16 and having like connection with the pins18 and 92.

A trigger 94 is affixed to upwardly extending, flat sector-shapedmembers 96 (only one shown except in Fig. '7) pivotally supported on thepin 24 at opposite sides of the rotor 16. Each member 96 is disposedbetween the rotor and a plate 26, and is provided with an arcuate slot98, the slots 98 being in register. A tubular pin I68 extends throughthe slots 98 and into the plates 26 thereby limiting pivotal movement ofthe toggle 94 about the pin 24. Round-ended, springpressed plungers I62mounted in opposite ends of the pin I66 protrude into recesses in theplates 29 for the purpose of releasably holding the handle l2 relativelyto the body 10 in the angular position shown in Fig. 1. For reasons tobe explained it should also be noted that each member 96 is so arrangedthat when the trigger 94 is depressed, i. e., moved toward the handleI2, an upper portion of the toggle link 88 and its counterpart will beengaged and displaced from a locked or straightened toggle condition bya portion of one of the trigger members 96.

In operating the tool, a mandril M is thrust into the anvil I6 until thelatter is engaged externally by the preformed head of a tubular portionR of the rivet. The mandril stem should then extend between the jaws 36as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In Fig. 1 the tool is shown when cocked. Thespring 64, being compressed between the head 68 and the abutment I0,acts through the rod 66 tending to turn the rotor 16 clockwise as viewedin Fig. 1. Such turning is prevented, however, by the toggle 86, 88which is then straight and serves as a strut. The sleeve 30 is then inits forward position, the jaws 36 are fully separated by the spring 38to admit the mandril M, and the spring 42 holds the block 40 inengagement with the wider portion 62 of the latch 44 as shown in Figs. 1and 3. By depressing the latch as shown in Fig. 4 the spring 42 ispermitted to move the jaws toward the mandril end of the tool and theyare closed on the mandril by reason of their engaging the surfaces 32.Though the latch 44 then be manually released, it will be held depressedby engagement of its surface 51 with the block 46. Conveniently, withone hand the loaded tool may be wielded by the handle l2 as desired andthe rivet will be retained in the tool.

When the rivet R is inserted in the hole to be riveted, its preformedhead being held against the structure by the anvil I6, the trigger 94may be depresesd. The toggle 86, 88 and its toggle counterparts areengaged by the trigger members 96 being thereby broken as aforesaid andthe energized spring 64 being permitted to expand to actuate the mandrilgripping mechanism. The

'. force of the expansion moves the rod 66 downward until the head 68engages the buffer 65. As a consequence, the rotor '16 is turnedclockwise as viewed in Fig. 1 thereby acting via the link 82,

extension 84, plug 34 and sleeve 36 to retract the jaws 36 with themandril M relative to the anvil l6. Rivet upsetting so effected on theinaccessible side of the structure is followed by tensioning andbreaking of the mandril M at its constriction, the broken portionremaining between the jaws 36 and the tool then being in the conditionshown in Fig. 5.

During expansion of the spring 64 the block 46 is shifted suflicientlyto disengage it from the surface 5i and the latch 44 returns to itsnormal position as shown in Fig. 3.

To energize the tool prior to-inserting the next rivet therein, the bodyI6 is grasped with one hand and the handle I2 held with the other, thesetool portions then being swung toward one another to pivot them aboutthe pin 24 and lessen the angle Z. During the initial part of thispivotal movement an end of the sleeve 36 engages the shoulder 33preventing further rotation (clockwise as viewed in Figs. 1 or 6) of therotor 16 and downward movement of the rod 66. Further pivotal movementaccordingly compresses the spring 64 between the head 68 and theabutment l0 and progressively straightens the toggle 86, 68. The tool isthen in the condition illustrated in Fig. 6. The body I6 and handle l2may now be returned to their initial positions but the straightenedtoggle 8B,- 88 and its counterpart prevent the compressed spring 64 fromexpanding while the'rod 66 and link 14 move upward to turn the rotorcounterclockwise. The sleeve 30 and block 40 are thereby moved withinthe casing 14 toward the anvil l6. Before the sleeve has reached itsmost forward position the block 40 engages the latch 44 and comes torest, continued movement ofthe sleeve thereafter permitting the jaws 36to separate and release the broken mandril stem. In practice a rapidreturn stroke is found to expel the broken mandril stem and the tool isready to install the next rivet.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A tool for installing a two-part rivet comprising a body having ananvil for bracing one part of the rivet, gripping mechanism movablerelatively to the body for retracting the second part of the rivet fromthe anvil, an element connected to said mechanism and movably mounted onthe body, a spring, means for shifting said element with respect to thebody and against compression of the spring, means for locking theelement in shifted position to hold the spring compressed, and a triggerfor releasing the element whereby said gripping mechanism is actuated bythe energized spring.

2. A tool for installing a two-part rivet comprising a body having ananvil for bracing one part of the rivet, gripping mechanism movablerelatively to the body for retracting the second part of the rivet fromthe anvil, a rotatable element mounted on the body and having operativeconnection with said mechanism, a handle pivotally related to the body,means energizable by pivotal movement of said handle for rotating saidelement, locking means for maintaining said means energized, and atrigger for releasing said locking means whereby the energized means isefiective to actuate said gripping mechanism by rotating said element.

3. In a riveting tool provided with a body having an anvil for bracingone part of a rivet and mechanism for gripping and retracting a secondpart of the rivet relative to the anvil, a hollow handle pivotallyrelated to the body, an element connected to said mechanism and movablymounted on the body, energizable means disposed in the handle foractuating said element and connected thereto, connections between thehandle and the element for energizing said means by movement of thehandle in one direction, the connections being adapted to lock saidmeans in energized condition on return movement of the handle, and atrigger adjacent to the handle and movable to unlock the energized meansby engagement with said connections whereby said element is actuated tomove said mechanism relatively to the body.

4. A riveting tool comprising a body having an anvil for bracing onepart of a rivet, mechanism in the body for gripping and retracting asecond part of the rivet relative to the anvil, a hollow handlepivotally related to the body for movement lengthwise thereof, arotatable element supported by the body and operatively connected tosaid mechanism, means in the handle and operable thereby for rotatingsaid element to actuate said mechanism, said means including a rodhaving pivotal connection with the element, a toggle connecting theelement and handle, and

6, a resilient member compressible by the "rod after straightening ofthe toggle by movement of the handle, and a trigger associated with thehandle and arranged to be depressed to engage and break said togglewhereby the compressed memher is enabled to act on said element by meansof said rod.

'5. =In a riveting tool ofthe type having a body provided with mandrilgripping mechanism, a pivot :pinafiixed-to the body, a handle supportedby the pin, means energized by movement of the handle relative to thebody for moving the gripping mechanism axially thereof, said meansincluding a rotor rotatably mounted on the pivot pin and havingeccentric connection with said mechanism, a spring-backed rod disposedin the handle and having eccentric pivotal connection with the rotor, atoggle connecting the rotor eccentrically with said handle andstraightenable to lock the rotor against rotation during energizingmovement of the handle, and a trigger depressible relatively to thelatter for breaking the toggle to release said rotor.

6. In a riveting tool having a body, an anvil, and mechanism in the bodyfor gripping and retracting part of a rivet relative to the anvil, arotor pivotally mounted in the body and connected to the mechanism, ahandle movable with respect to the body, said handle housing a rodconnected to the rotor and a spring acting on said rod, the arrangementbeing such as to increase the actuating influence of said spring on therod by movement of the handle in one direction, means for maintainingthe increased actuating influence during reverse movement of the handle,and a trigger engageable with said means to enable the spring to turnsaid rotor.

'7. A blind riveting tool comprising a body and a pivotally relatedhandle, the body having an anvil adapted to brace a part of a rivet,mechanism enclosed by the body for gripping and retracting another partof the rivet relative to the anvil, a rotor fulcrumed on the body andhaving a pivotal connection with said mechanism, a pivot on the rotor,means extending within the handle and connected to the pivot for movingthe rotor, said means including a rod and a spring acting thereon, atoggle connected to the pivot and straightenable by movement of thehandle toward the body, said spring being disposed to be energized bysuch handle movement, and trigger means for breaking said toggle torelease the energy of said spring.

8. A riveting tool comprising a body, a sleeve movable axially thereinand provided with an end having an internal conical surface, rivetgripping mechanism secured to the interior of the sleeve and yieldableaxially thereof, said mechanism including a spring pressed member and apair of leaf springs secured to the member for individually supportinga, pair of rivet gripping jaws in spread-apart condition, and a steppedlatch extending transversely of the body and yieldingly movable thereinfor engagement with said member, one portion of said latch nor-,

mally serving to prevent the member from urging said jaws intocooperative relation with said surface and another portion of said latchbeing eifective on displacement thereof to enable the member to movesaid jaws into cooperative relation with said surface.

9. A riveting tool comprising a main body having an anvil end, a sleevemovable in the body having an end provided with an internal conicalsurface, a yieldable member secured in the sleeve 'a-djacentto its otherend, leaf springs secured to the member and disposed to support rivetgripping jaws in spread-apart condition adjacent to said surface,mechanism for moving the sleeve toward and from the anvil end, and meansfor releasably limiting the movement of the jaws toward said surface,said mechanism including a rotor pivotally mounted in the body andconnected to the sleeve, a pistol-grip ban-- dle pivotally related tothe body, a rod in the 10 handle pivotally connected to the rotor, aspring arranged to act on the rotor by means of said rod, said springbeing energizable by movement of the handle relative to the body, atrigger, and locking means for constraining the mechanism againstrelative movement of the sleeve until released by the trigger.

JAMES NORMAN HENSHAW.

No references cited.

